Former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan on Tuesday criticised the ongoing ban imposed by a section of lawyers on entry of mediapersons in courtrooms and called on the Chief Justice, judges and others concerned to take the initiative to end the impasse.
Speaking at a formal session of the Assembly held shortly before the inauguration of the State-level celebrations of the formation of Kerala, Mr. Achuthanandan said it was not possible to ignore the fact the ban was in force at time when the State was celebrating the 60th anniversary of the formation of the State. The demand for press freedom was centuries old. It was a travesty that the persons who were duty-bound to implement law and justice were trying to gag the media.
He wondered what would happen if the legislature were to ban media persons in the press gallery on the basis of a dispute between mediapersons and legislators. Similarly, how would it be possible to allow the doors of the entire judicial system to shut by a group of lawyers, he asked.
Mr. Achuthanandan also recalled the agitations by agriculture workers against the conversion of paddy land. The ‘Vettinirathal Samaram’ by agriculture workers was viewed with derision. But it was a forewarning that the State failed to listen, he said.
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, in his address, called for setting up an Assembly committee to prepare a monologue on the implementation, outcome and impact of the numerous landmark legislations made by the Kerala Assembly.
